Some of you will know that I have stopped taking church camps (https://graceworks.com.sg/no-church-camps-for-now/). You may be wondering why, then, am I still ministering at church camps. Well, the latest one I took, with the Centre of New Life (https://www.cnl.org.sg/), was one I had committed to three years ago. I still try to fulfil my commitments.
The camp really tired me out. It reminded me of why I no longer do camps. But I was glad that I did this one. The leaders and members of the church felt the Lord leading them to be a more relational church, committed to community and service. These are some of my key concerns as well. I first connected with the church because one of their pastors took a course I was teaching.
When they first approached me three years ago, I could not make any of their dates for the first two years. Was finally able to take their camp this year. Sometimes when you take a camp you feel like you have to break hard ground. Not this time. In the three years since I was first invited, the Lord had already been working in the life of the church. My ministry only gave fresh language, structure, and encouragement to what the Lord was already doing in the church and will continue to do after the camp.
I was very moved that the church leaders not only talked about relationships, they practiced it. I felt warmly welcomed in my initial conversations with the camp committee, and in my conversations with Terence Ong their senior pastor. We found ourselves kindred spirits. At the camp, campers of all generations reached out and made me feel very welcomed. One of the pastors conferred on me the title “honorary Pentecostal”. (Centre of New Life is an Assembly of God church.) I was deeply touched by the inclusion and embrace of the community. I want to walk with them in whatever way that will be of help to them in the years ahead.
One of the pastors remarked that I didn’t just come to exercise my spiritual gifts. I gave of myself. That was what I tried to do and I am glad that some picked up on that. I don’t come as a “service provider” to do my thing. I come as a friend wanting to hear your stories, to know you better, and see how we can bless each other.
One of my best memories of the camp was hearing a table hum the tune to the Imperial March from Star Wars. I was at that table during lunch with a group of church leaders and members. Someone had mentioned that her husband’s favourite character was Han Solo and that led to a lively discussion about Star Wars. I had to leave early and as I walked away, I heard the Imperial March being hummed. I tried to respond by doing some asthmatic Vader breathing but the place was too noisy for that to be heard. My heart was strangely warmed by their gesture. Can’t wait to see those folks again. Jokers.